Friday Special Blend
Friday December 23rd, 2022 with Susan Johnston
TRIAS Art Prize Part One, featuring Koomuatuk (Kuzy) Curley and Svetlana Swinimer

In this episode of the Friday Blend, Susan speaks with artists Kuzy Curley and Svetlana Swinimer. Artist Svetlana Swinimer is the winner of the TRIAS Art and Science Residency, and sculptor Koomuatuk (Suzy Curley) is the winner of the Indigenous and Inuit Healing Art Award for his work Sikusilingmiut. About Koomuatuk (Kuzy) Curley: Koomuatuk (Kuzy) Curley is a sculptor, director and videographer from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU. Curley learned to carve from his grandparents during the summers he spent as a child at their outpost camp near Kinngait. He began his professional carving career while in junior high school. Curley produces works of various scales from some weighing at over 100 pounds to miniatures as small as a nickel. About Svetlana Swinimer (www.svetlana-swinimer.ca) Svetlana Swinimer lives and works in Ottawa, Canada. Born and educated in Russia. She taught in Russia, Africa and Canada. Svetlana had numerous solo and group exhibitions in Canada and abroad. Her works can be seen in public places in Ottawa, ON, Gatineau QC and in various private collections around the world. She collaborated with Jean Halstead on art in public and on mixed media installations. Background: On Tuesday December 6, the Ottawa Art Gallery and the Ottawa Hospital announced winners of the TRIAS Art Prize. TRIAS Art Prize is a juried art competition that intersects art, science, medicine, and community, and winning artworks will be displayed at The Ottawa Hospital with the aim of enhancing care through restorative art, engaging the community, and supporting artists from Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, and Nunavut. Winners include: Art and Science Residency winner: Svetlana Swinimer Indigenous and Inuit Healing Art Award winner: Koomuatuk (Kuzy) Curley, Sikusilingmiut Honourable Mention: Christine Toulouse, Courage Art as Healing winner: Andrew Morrow, Neither Brightly Lit Nor Completely Enlightened Honourable Mention: Jovita Akahome, Soul